Top 10 Unexpected Stars of 2018

The 2018 season has once again seen a number of players light up the competition. These 10 players have managed to defy most expectations and excel throughout the year. No rookies were included on the list. Chad Townsend With the loss of James Maloney in the off-season, Chad Townsend had no choice but to stand up and lead the way for the Sharks. A Top 4 finish is an excellent result for a club that lost it’s key playmaker and Townsend certainly played a big part in that result. [caption id="attachment_36012" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 26: Chad Townsend of the Sharks celebrates scoring a try during the round 24 NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Newcastle Knights at Southern Cross Group Stadium on August 26, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption] Robert Jennings Robert Jennings has enjoyed the best year of his career, with an exceptional season on the wing for the Rabbitohs. Despite a fairly serious injury late in the season, Jennings finished third on the top try scorers list– only a few behind David Fusitu’a and Valentine Holmes. [caption id="attachment_35351" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 28: Robert Jennings of the Rabbitohs scores try during the round 20 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Parramatta Eels at ANZ Stadium on July 28, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Lachlan Fitzgibbon Lachlan Fitzgibbon enjoyed his best NRL season so far, topping his solid 2017 season. Fitzgibbon showed he was a dynamic, hard-working forward, regularly playing 80 minutes. The young back rower finished the season with nine tries and 12 line breaks from 21 matches. [caption id="attachment_36616" align="alignnone" width="696"] TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 27: Lachlan Fitzgibbon of the Knights celebrates after scoring a try during the round 20 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Newcastle Knights at 1300SMILES Stadium on July 27, 2018 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)[/caption] Slade Griffin Another Knights player that had his best season to date, Slade Griffin finally had an opportunity to be a club’s first choice hooker. The former Storm player showed he deserved the opportunity he was given and even earned a New Zealand call-up for strong start to the season. His injury later in the season severely damaged the Knights finals chances. [caption id="attachment_36615" align="alignnone" width="696"] NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 27: Slade Griffin of the Knights passes the ball during the round 12 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Cronulla Sharks at McDonald Jones Stadium on May 27, 2018 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)[/caption] Tevita Pangai Junior Tevita Pangai Junior had a strong season for the Broncos; his most consistent so far. The Tongan international got the attention of the rugby league community with his solid go-forward and determined attitude. Many clubs will be hoping to sign the young man as he continues to improve. [caption id="attachment_36606" align="alignnone" width="696"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 16: Tevita Pangai of the Broncos takes on the defence during the round 23 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium on August 16, 2018 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] Benji Marshall After a rocky 2017 season many NRL viewers thought that Benji Marshall’s career was all but finished. However, Marshall has had a major career revival in 2018, taking the Tigers to within a few wins of finals return. The famous five-eighth has been so good that the Tigers resigned him for another season. [caption id="attachment_32126" align="alignnone" width="696"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 17: Benji Marshall of the Tigers runs with the ball during the round two NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the Wests Tigers at AAMI Park on March 17, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Blake Green Blake Green was a terrific buy for the Warriors as he has provided some much needed game management to the club. The experienced five-eighth was instrumental in helping the Warriors play finals football in 2018, which few thought the New Zealand club was capable of doing. [caption id="attachment_33202" align="alignnone" width="696"] AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - MAY 05: Blake Green of the Warriors looks on during the round nine NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Wests Tigers at Mt Smart Stadium on May 5, 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)[/caption] Tariq Sims Used primarily as a bench prop in 2017, Tariq Sims replaced Joel Thompson in the number 11 jersey for the 2018 season. Sims has been superb for the Dragons and has had his best NRL season to date. The powerful forward was rewarded with his first New South Wales game. [caption id="attachment_33281" align="alignnone" width="696"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Tariq Sims of the Dragons celebrates victory in the round eight NRL match between the St George Illawara Dragons and Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium on April 25, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)[/caption] Jai Arrow Like Jarrod Wallace before him, Jai Arrow left the Broncos and became an unstoppable force in the Titans forward pack. Arrow’s regular return of over 200 running metres saw him selected by Queensland in all three State of Origin matches. [caption id="attachment_36614" align="alignnone" width="696"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 11: Jai Arrow of the Titans is tackeld during the round 22 NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Penrith Panthers at Cbus Super Stadium on August 11, 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)[/caption] Damien Cook Without a doubt Damien Cook has been one of the NRL’s best in 2018. The explosive hooker has helped take the Rabbitohs to the Top 4 and the Blues to a series win. It would not be surprising to see Cook receive the Dally M Medal, which would be huge as he was battling Robbie Farah for the starting hooker role before the season started. [caption id="attachment_36486" align="alignnone" width="696"] GOSFORD, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 21: Damien Cook of the Rabbitohs in action during the round seven NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canberra Raiders at Central Coast Stadium on April 21, 2018 in Gosford, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)[/caption]